Association of DLX3 gene polymorphism and dental caries susceptibility in Japanese children

Objective: In this study, we investigated whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in DLX3 are associated with dental caries susceptibility in Japanese children. Design: Genomic DNA of 201 Japanese children was extracted from buccal epithelial cells. The subjects were divided into two groups: 'low level' group with <10,000 colony forming units (CPU) of Streptococcus mutans/mL saliva (level 0) and 'high level' group with >= 10,000 CFU/mL (more than level 1). Each group was further divided according to decayed, missing, filled teeth (dmft) into low caries experience (dmft <= 2) and high caries experience (dmft >= 3). Seven SNPs in DLX3 were genotyped using TagMano (R) SNP Genotyping Assay. Results: Statistical significant association was observed between DLX3 (rs2278163) and caries experience in 'high level Mutans streptococci' group. Conclusion: These findings suggest that rs2278163 SNP of DLX3 might be associated with dental caries susceptibility in Japanese children. T and C alleles of rs2278163 SNP may potentially be involved in caries susceptibility and caries protection respectively. (C) 2014 Published by Elsevier Ltd.